Wild Rover
Overdrive!
With the help of this forum I recently found the source of an annoying / worrying metalic noise. A very little movement was discovered in the rear prop shaft uj at the differential, it was less than 1mm. So armed with a couple of spanners and two replacement uj's I removed the prop shaft only to discover that one of the bearing cups was actually empty. I was not expecting this, thinking that such a small movement in the uj would be the result of wear. So, I can safely say I have found the problem. The retaining circlips were a pain to dislodge as they appear to have corroded into their seats but a considered whack with a drift on the bearing cap and another on the circlip itself helped.
A word of warning at this point on circlip pliers. Don't be tempted into buying cheap pliers, I did and the first pair collapsed on the first clip. By this time my prop shaft was in the kitchen so no transport. The only source of new pliers within walking distance produced another set of 5 cheap pliers, two of which broke.
The old bearings were drifted out by placing the yolk on top of a socket and tapping from the top. The disintegrated bearing can be seen in the picture next to a new one. I did not have a vice so had to use my Land Rover special tool No. 6 to press the new bearing cups into place. The first one was easy, the second not so. There was some resistance to get it in its final position which I thought was the result of the bearing not being straight. Trying to slide the spider to its full extent into each bearing proved impossible on one side so to make sure I dissmantled the uj to check. One of the needle rollers had dropped into the centre of the bearing. More care next time and stop at any resistance. So the G clamp worked well and only cost £6 for a pair. The job completed with all the pieces put back together in the right allignment with grease nipples in the right place and put back on the 110.
The amazing thing is that little bearing cup appears to be the cause of practically all the clunk in the drive train. As the test drive resulted in smooth take up on acceleration and deceleration alike. Gear changes are great. Never thought this would happen.
A word of warning at this point on circlip pliers. Don't be tempted into buying cheap pliers, I did and the first pair collapsed on the first clip. By this time my prop shaft was in the kitchen so no transport. The only source of new pliers within walking distance produced another set of 5 cheap pliers, two of which broke.
The old bearings were drifted out by placing the yolk on top of a socket and tapping from the top. The disintegrated bearing can be seen in the picture next to a new one. I did not have a vice so had to use my Land Rover special tool No. 6 to press the new bearing cups into place. The first one was easy, the second not so. There was some resistance to get it in its final position which I thought was the result of the bearing not being straight. Trying to slide the spider to its full extent into each bearing proved impossible on one side so to make sure I dissmantled the uj to check. One of the needle rollers had dropped into the centre of the bearing. More care next time and stop at any resistance. So the G clamp worked well and only cost £6 for a pair. The job completed with all the pieces put back together in the right allignment with grease nipples in the right place and put back on the 110.
The amazing thing is that little bearing cup appears to be the cause of practically all the clunk in the drive train. As the test drive resulted in smooth take up on acceleration and deceleration alike. Gear changes are great. Never thought this would happen.
Nice one, it's not a difficult job but the difference it makes is amazing isn't it? 
